Signaling system



Nov. 8, 1949 R HALVORSEN 2,487,130

' SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 20, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 l INVENTOR FIG. I RALPH H.HALVORSE N Big M%TORNEY 8, 1949 R. H. HALVORSEN 2,487,130

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 20, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY m ATTORNEY FIG.2

Nov. 8, 1949 Filed June 20, 1946 R. H. HALVORSEN 2,487,130

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

4 Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR RALPH H. HALVORSE N ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1949 R. H. HALVORSEN 2,487,130

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 20, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 RECFEPKA F|G 4 SERVICE 4 PARTS RECDRUA'R DEPT.

I5 SHIPPING RECORD! l6 PF RICE AND BILLING RfCDPDEP I INVENTOB FIG.| FIG.2 FIG.3 RALPH H.HALVORSEN ATTORNEY FIG. 5

Patented Nov. 8,

SIGNALING SYSTEM Ralph H. Halvorsen, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 20, 1946, Serial No. 678,020

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a system of telegraphic control of recording devices and more particularly to the use of such devices for accounting and other business applications.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of means for facilitating the preparation of accounting records telegraphically.

Another object of the invention is the provision in merchandising control systems of a numbering and control circuit effective under the control of a single key to automatically transmit a number changeable consecutively upon each key operation, and for repeating the number under certain conditions of operation.

In the system according to the present invention, telegraph printing machines are situated at various points or departments of a merchandising organization. These machines are under the contro1 of a centrally located machine which is provided with a keyboard transmitting device and a switching control device which functions to control the transmission of messages to all or certain ones only of the other recording machines or page printers, in the present instance.

A better understanding of the foregoing objects of the present invention may be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are component parts of a circuit arrangement of the system according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the recording apparatus relative to the various departments;

Fig. 5 is a view showing the relative arrangement of Figs. 1, 2, and 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of one of the control contact arrangements in the recording apparatus, and

Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary views showing the carriage return and line feed blocking mechanism employed in certain of the recording apparatuses in the present system.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the construction of a stepping switch such as A or H.

Having reference to Fig. 4, a recorder l l is provided with a page printing mechanism and a keyboard transmitting device. Attached to the recorder l I is a switching control device [2 which functions to control the transmission of messages to all or certain ones only of five recorders I I, l3, l4, l5, and/ or 16, depending upon the setting of the control device 12. In the present embodiment of the invention, the recorders ll, l3, and M are located in one department, for example, the

service department. The recorders l4 and [5 are called the log record printers for printing a log record consisting of the sales number, customers number and address for the service department record, and shipping department record respectively. The recorder I3 is an item or stock requisition printer which prints upon separate forms individual items automatically. Recorder 16 is a printer unit of the receiving type only and prints all the information transmitted from the recorder ll. Associated with the recorder II and the control unit I2 is a numbering circuit indicated in Fig. 4 by the numeral ll. The relation of the various recording apparatuses and the numbering circuit II as well as the control unit l2 will become apparent from the following description.

The circuit according to the present invention is designed to perform three separate functions, namely first, as a control circuit for the purpose of controlling the transmission to a set of five printers ll, l3, l4, l5, and I6; that is, to be able to cut in or out of the line circuit one or more of the printers depending upon the position of a control key I2. Secondly, as a numbering circuit, to transmit to the printers in the system, a six digit number preceded by a letter and a dash, the number being automatically advanced for each depression of a number advance key 22. 'I'hirdly, upon a circuit closure from a switch arrangement shown in Fig. 6, depending upon the location of the printer carriage in the control printer unit in relation to the platen, one of the printers is automatically removed from the line circuit and connected to the numbering circuit for the transmission of the current number plus carriage return and a predetermined number of line feeds in order to advance the forms used in this printer to a desired printing position. This lastmentioned printer is the stock requisition printer l4.

Having reference to the circuit arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a set of stepping switches are employed, eight in number, distributed as follows: A stepping switch is utilized for each of the digits to be transmitted and, as shown in Fig. l, are designated U, T, HTH, and TH, indicative of units, tens, hundreds, thousandths, and ten thousandths, respectively. Two of the stepping switches, designated A and B in Fig. 2, are employed for controlling the sequence of transmission, and a stepping switch designated C, also shown in Fig. 2 is utilized for controlling the transmission of the carriage return and line feed signals, as will presently appear. Also shown in Fig. 1 are the code relays 23, which are sixteen in number and are used for setting up the code of the digits, letters, and functions to be transmitted. Ten of the relays 23, labeled to 9, inclusive, are wired to the ten terminals of the five stepping switches designated U, T, H, TH, and T'IH. The other six of the relays 23, namely, CR, LF, BLK', FIG, S, (indicative, respectively, of carriage return, line feed, blank, figures shift, and space) and dash are wired to the arcs of the selectors or stepping switches A, B, and C for the transmission of characters and rune-1310 1 The contacts I to 5 of the relays 23 are wired to the contacts of a transmitter 2 4 inaccordance with the code of the character or function which the particular relay 23 represents. The transmitter 24 is of the type shown-in; U. S. Patent; NQ. 2,296,845, issued September 29, 1942, to M.. T, Goetz.

The control portion of the circuit according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 3 and comprises a line relay 25 and three control relays C8, C9, and CID. The winding of relay 2-5- is connected in series with the keyboard transmitter contacts 26- over an obvious circuit incl-udi-ng a battery- 21. The relay- 25 is so wired that when the circuit from battery 21 through the winding of relay 2-5 and through transmitting contacts 26 is closed, therelay 25 isin the marking position Inthis position the marking contact 28. of relay 25 isnormally closed, being opened periodically during signal transmission in a well known manner. During signaling periods, a circuit is completed from battery,

through contact 36 (when closed) over conductor 5 29-, through. contact 3|. (normally closed) of relay C1, then over conductor 32 to junction 33', over conductor 34, through contact 35 of makebefore-brea-k contact of relay C8, over conductor 36, through Winding of line relay 31 of printer unit I13, over conductor 38' through contact 39 of make-before-break contact. of relay C8, over conductor 41, through the winding of line relay 42 of recorder I I:, over conductor 43, through the winding of line relay 4.4: of the recorder I6, over conductor through contact 46 of make-befiore-break contact of relay C9, over conductor 41', through winding of linerelay 48 of recorder I4, over conductor 49, then through the winding of line relay 50: of recorder I15 to ground. Thus; it is seen that the contact 28: of relay 2.5 isbwired in series. with the five line relays. 31-,

42!, 44;, 48-, and 5| of the five printers. I3, lat, I16;

l4, and I5, respectively, the. circuit in such a manner that no line current is flowing through the: printer line relays when the contactor 46' of the relay 2-5; in the control circuit is in a marking; position, and in order to keep the holdin magnets 60 of the printers orrecorders 1131,. It. 1-6;, l4, and I5: operated; when the transmitter contacts 26 of the control printer I3 are closed, themarkingand spacing contacts of the five, recorder line relays 31-, 42-, 44, 48, and 5,0 are re, versed sothat the holding magnets, 3,0 are. held in anoperated position when noline.- current is flowing in the printer l-ine relay circuit. This method of wiring the line circuit is used to eliminate trouble due to opening of the line when switching printers i-n and outv of the system. As will appear hereinafter, the three relays C8,, C9; and CH1, operate i-n various positionsv of the control key I;2 for the purpose of switching the; recorders I3, II, I6, I-4, and I5- into and out of the line circuit.

The; control key- I2 isa three position control key or switch, and is shown in Fig. 3 in position No. 2, wherein its contacts 5I, 52, 53, and 54 are open and its contacts 55, 56, 51, and 58 are closed. The control key I2 is employed for controlling the transmission to the line relays 31, 42, 44, 48, and 50 of recorders II and I3 to It. In position No. 2 as shown, a circuit is closed from ground, through contact 51",. over conductor 59, and through the winding of relay C9 to battery. Relay C9 thereupon operates to close its contact 61 of make-before-break contact and open its contacts. 46 and 62, the effect of which will presently appear. With control key I2 in its positime No. 2,: (as shown-)- a circuit is completed from ground, through, contact 56, over conductor 33, to juncture 64, then over conductor 65 and through the; winding of relay C8 to battery, to thereupon operate said relay C8. Relays C9 and C8 remain operated as long as the control key I2 is in the position No. 2.

Withthe control relay C9- in its operated. positime, the circuit from the winding of line relay 44' to line relay 48 is opened, and ground is supplied to conductor 45 through. contact. 61I2, thereby disconnecting the recorders I4 and I5: from the line circuit. relay ea: in its operated position over the circuit. previously described, the line relay 3 1 of printer I3 is removed. from. the line circuit because contacts 35 and- 39' have been opened by the attraction of armatu-resv 10 and 66 of relay C8 thereby effecting the closing of contacts 15 and 6:1 and opening of contacts 35 and 39; The attraction of? armature 6:8 has. caused the closing of contact 631', With relay C8 energized andthecircuittorecorders. I23, I4. and I5 broken, the circuit for relay 31' over conductor 35 through junction II; and, over conductor 12 will not be: completed" since the contact 1.3 of relay C IaOzi-sstill open.

with relays. C81. and 69in. their operated condition, the line. circuit. is. closed from, ground at the contact. 6.1: 013 relay- (39, over the conductor 45,. through the winding of relay: 44, over con ductor 43:, through the winding of relay 42,, over the conductor 4t, through contact, 6.1, over conductor 14, through contact 15:, over conductor 34,, over conductor: 32; through contact 3| of relay 01, over conductor 29;. then: through contact 28; (when, closed): topcsitive battery, From the fcregoing: it; is observed that: with the. control key I2 in its position No. 2 as; described: above, printers 031286011 1 13 El: and I6. only arev connected. to the. line circuit...

When the control key I52: operated to its position. N02, 1- its ccn acts; 5:3; and 54-. are closed, and its contacts 51 and .58, are, opened. In this position, thegraund; for; relay- C8 is; derived throughcontact 54 thereby maintaining therelay C8 operated. Upon the opening of Contact 51 therelay C9 beccmes, ale-ener ized over the circuit including conductQH 5.9-. Thereupon contact 62 closes and contact 64 of them-ake-before-break contact opens while contact 46.- again closes.

' Since, relay- C8; is still; energized, the printer I3 When the control key I2 is operated to its position No. 3 its contacts and 52 will be closed and its contacts 55 and 56 will be opened. Relay C9 will again become operated over the circuit from ground through contact 51, over conductor 59 through the winding of relay C9 ,to battery, thereby opening contact 62, and closing contact 6| and opening contact 46 of the make-before-break contact. The printers I4 and I5 are thereby disconnected from the line due to the opening of contact 46. Upon the closing of contact 6| ground is supplied again over conductor 45 to the line relay 44. Relay C8 also became de-energized uponthe operation of the control key I2 to its position No. 3. No ground is supplied to relay C8 either through contact 56 or contact 54, which contacts are both now opened. In view of this, the armatures of relay 08 will be released and contacts 35 and 3 9 will again be= come closed and accordingly will be included in the line circuit. The recorders II, I3, and I6 are now connected in the line circuit from ground, through contact 6|, over conductor 45, through relay 44, over conductor 43, through relay 42, over conductor 4|, through contact 39, over conductor 38, through relay 31, over conductor 36, through contact 35, over conductors 34 and 32, through contact 3|, over conductor 29, and through contact 28 (when closed) to battery.

With the control key I2 still in position No. 3, a circuit is completed for relay 06 from ground, through the contact 52 (now closed), over conductor I5, through contact 16 (now closed) of relay C1, over conductor 11, and through the winding of relay C6 to battery. In response to the energization of relay C6 its contacts I8, I9, and 8|, become closed and its contact 82 is opened. Upon the closure of contact 8| a circuit is completed from battery, through the winding of relay CI8, over the conductor 83, through contact 8| (now closed) of relay C8, over conductor 84, through contact 5| of control key I2 (now closed), over conductor 85, and through the contact 86 (which is closed in a manner as will hereinafter appear), to ground. Relay CI8 does not operate at this time however since the contact 86 is not yet closed.

Having reference to Fig. 6, there is shown a contact arrangement which is mounted into the recorder unit II, which is of the type shown in U. S. Patent 1,984,164 issued to S. Morton et al. In this printing device or recorder the'shoe 81 is mounted suitably on the movable type carriage and is adapted to cooperate with a spring mem ber 88 at a predetermined point in its path of travel (preferably near the end of the line of printing). Spring member 88 is a part of a contact member 86 which is of a commercial type and operates in such a manner that when the spring 88 is biased in a clockwise manner, as viewed in Fig. 6 a contact button 89 is depressed to close the circuit through this contact member 86, thus completing a circuit from ground, through the contact member 86 and over the conductor 85; as previously traced in connectionwith Figs. 2 and 3, to energize relay CIII.

In the following description the operation of the numbering circuit shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which is under the control of the circuit shown in Fig. 3 and which is utilized for the automatic transmission of consecutive numbers, will be described. Preparatory to the transmission of a number through the numbering circuit, the control key I2 is placed in position No. 1 and the control switch A will be found with its contact'arms 9| and 92 in contact with contact elements 93 and 94., As will be observed hereinafter, the normal stop position or rest position of switch A would be with the contact arms 9| and 92 upon contacts 5 93 and 94, respectively.

With the system in the condition just described, the number advance key 22 is operated to close its contacts, thereby completing a circuit from ground through contact 22, over conductor 95, through contact 62, over conductor 96, through contact 93 of the right-hand arc of switch A, over contact arm 9|, over conductors 91 and 98 and through the winding of stepping magnet 99 to battery. Accordingly, the arm 9| of switch A, as well as arm 92, are stepped to segments I8I and I82, respectively. With switch A in this position a circuit is completed from battery, through the winding of relay A4, over conductor I88, through contact l82, over contact arm 92, over conductors I84 and I85, through contact I86 (now closed), to ground, thereby energizing relay A4, as a result of which contact I86 opens and contacts I81, I88, I89, III] close. Upon the closure of contact I89 a locking circuit is provided for relay A4 from battery, through the winding of relay A4, through contact I89, over conductor III, and through the contact II2 of switch A to ground. Contacts H2 and II 3 of switch A are a pair of contacts which are operated by an extension II4 of the switch arm 9|, Fig. 9.

The switches A, B, C, and the digit switches U, T, H, TH, and 'ITI-I are of the type shown in Fig. 9 wherein the switch contacts, for example, contacts I I2 and H3 of switch A are shown as controlled by the contact arm 9| through the instrumentality of extension II4, which in the zero or home position, as shown, holds the contacts H2 and H3 in one condition of operation. Through the energization of the stepping magnet 99, the arm 9| will be rotated and upon the rotation to the first of the stepping contacts, the contacts H2 and 3- will be changed in their condition of operation. A restoring magnet II5 operates the detent lever I I6 to permit the index arm 9| to be returned to its home position.

Upon the energization of relay A4 a circuit is completed for the energization of the BLK relay (of the set of relays 23) from ground, through contact I 81 (now closed) of relay A4, over con- 50 ductor II6, through the winding of the BLK relay, then over bus conductor II! to battery. With the BLK relay operated, a circuit is completed from ground, through the transmitter contact II8 (normally closed), over the conductor ;55 I I9, through the contact I2I of relay BLK (now closed), over conductor I22 and through the winding of relay C3 to battery. Upon the energization of relay C3, an energizing circuit for the transmitter start magnet I23 is completed from 68 battery, through the winding of start magnet I23, through the contact I24 (now closed) of relay C3, over conductor I25, through contact I26 of relay C4, to ground. Upon the energization of the start magnet I23, the distributor 24 is initiated .65 into rotation so that its series of contacts are closed in a predetermined sequence under the control of cams as is well known in the art.

The contacts I to 5, inclusive, of the BLK relay are connected to contacts I2'I of the transmitter 70 24. As the transmitter 24 begins to transmit, its start contact I28 closes, thus completing a circuit from battery over conductor I29, through contact I28,'over conductor I3I to junction I32 (Fig. 2), then over conductor I33 to junction I34, then 75 over conductor I35 to and'through contact I Q16 ate to open contact I81 and close contact I88, which contacts are similar to the contact H2 and I I3 shown in Fig. 9. Upon the closing of contact I88 a circuit is completed for relay A2 extending from battery through the winding of relay A2, over conductor I89, through contact I14 (now closed) over conductor I9I to junction I92, then through contact I88 (now closed), to ground. Relay A2, upon operating, causes the switch A to he stepped to bring its arms 9| and 92 into contact with contacts I93 and I94, respectively. This stepping circuit extends from ground, through contact I95 (now closed) of relay A2, over conductor I96, through contact I11, over switch arm 9|, over conductors 91 and 98, then through the winding of magnet 99 to battery. Upon being energized, the stepping magnet 99 causes the arms 9| and 92 to be stepped to their next contacts I93 and I94, respectively.

With the circuit in this condition, the relay C3 (associated with transmitter 24, Fig. 1) again becomes energized over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of relay C3, over conductor I22 to junction I98, then over Conductor I99 to contact I86 of switch B (Fig. 2), then over switch arm I84 to junction 20I, then over conductor 202 to contact I94 of switch A, then over switch arm 92, over conductors I04 and I05, through contact I06 (now closed) of relay A4, to ground.

Relay C3 when operated will again operate the clutch start magnet I23 of transmitter 24, as previously described. However, no current is furnished to transmitter contacts I to 5, and therefore, the line relays of the various printers in the circuit will not operate. The holding magnet 60 of the printers II, I4, and I5 will remain operated, thereby resulting in five marking signals being received which are equivalent to the letters or LTRS signal, due to the reversal of signal impulses, as previously described. At the close of the transmitter cycle, the transmitter contact I38 will again close, thereby operating the relay C4. Relay C4, when operated, will operate the stepper magnet I8I of switch B over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of stepping magnet I8I to junction 203, then through contact I85 of switch B, over switch arm I83, over conductor 204, through contact I4I (now closed) of relay C4, to ground. In response to this operation of the stepping magnet I8I, the switch arms I83 and I84 of switch B will be advanced to their contacts 205 and 206, respectively.

With the switch arm I84 of switch B on the contact 206, a circuit is completed for code relay S (of the set of relays 23) from battery over conductor II1 (Fig. 1), through the winding of code relay S, over the conductor 201, through contact 206, over arm I84 to junction 20I, then over conductor 202 to the contact I94 of switch A, then over switch arm 92, over conductors I04 and I05, through the contact I06 (now closed), to ground. As the code relay S becomes operated its contact 208 closes to complete a circuit for relay C3 from battery, through the winding of relay C3, over conductor I22, through the contact 208 (now closed), then over conductor H9, and through normally closed contact II8 to ground. When relay C8 is operated it will again initiate operation of the clutch start magnet I 23, thereby starting the transmitter and causing it to transmit the code set up by the contacts of the code relay S; namely, the contacts 2, 4, and 5 will be closed, whereupon a code signal will be t il mitted over the line to the printers II, I4, I5, and I6. For example, the transmitting circuit will extend from battery over conductor I29, through the contacts I21, over the conductors associated therewith and through the contacts 2, 4, and 5 of code relay S, over conductor 209 to junction 2, then over conductor I3I to junction I32 (Fig. 2), then over conductor I33 to junction I34, then through contacts I54 (now closed), over conductors 32 and 34, through contact 15 (now closed), over conductor 14, through contact 61 (now closed), over conductor M, then through the printers II, I4, I5, and I6 to ground.

At the close of this transmitting cycle (for the code signal S) the contact I38 of transmitter 24 (Fig. 1) will again close completing a circuit for the relay C4 (associated with transmitter 24) which when operated closes its contact I4I to again complete a circuit to the stepping magnet I8I of switch B from ground, through the contact I4I (now closed), over conductor 204, over the switch arm I83, through contact 205, over conductor I to junction 203, then through the winding of magnet I 8I to battery. The operation of the stepping magnet I 8| will cause the switch arms I83 and I84 to he stepped to contacts H2 and H3, respectively, of switch B.

With the switch B in the position wherein its switch arm I84 is resting upon contact 2I3, a code signal corresponding to the Fig. code signal (figures shift or, upper case) will be transmitted to the printers II, I4, I5, and I6. To achieve this result the Fig. code relay of the set of relays 23 will become energized over a circuit extending from battery, over conductor II1 (Fig. 1), through the winding of Fig. relay, over conductor 2I4 to contact 2I3 of switch B, over switch arm I 84 to junction 20I, then over conductor 202 to contact I 94 of switch A, over switch arm 92, over conductors I04 and I05, then through contact I06 (now closed) of relay A4, to ground. Relay Fig., upon operating, causes its contact 2I5 to close to complete a circuit for the relay C3 which, when operated as previously described, will cause the start magnet I23 to operate to thereby initiate transmission of the figures (Fig) code signal, over the conductor 209 from the contact 3 of the Fig. code relay, then over conductors I3I and I33, through contact I54, over conductors 32 and 34, through the contacts 15 and 61 of the C8 relay (now energized) then through the printers II, I6, I4, and I5, to ground. As previously described, the contact I38 of transmitter 24 again operates in this transmitting cycle to energize the relay 04 which closes its contact I4I to cause the stepping magnet I8I of the switch B to again be operated to advance the switch arms I83 and I84 to contacts 2I6 and 2 I1, respectively.

With the switch B in the position wherein its switch arm I84 is in contact with the contact 2I1, a dash signal will be transmitted due to the fact that the dash code relay 2I8 of the set of relays 23 will become energized over a circuit extending from battery, over conductor I I1, through the winding of dash relay 2I8, over conductor 2 I9, through contact 2 I 1, over the switch arm I84 to junction 20I, over conductor 202, through contact I94 of switch A, over switch arm 92, over conductors I04 and I05, through contact I06, to ground. As previously described, the relay C3 will again become operated since the contacts 22I of relay 2I8 have become closed, whereupon the start magnet I23 will operate to initiate rotation of the transmitter-24 to transarouse mit a signal comprising marking. impulses in the 3, 4, and positions indicative of thedash signal, over conductor 9, conductors. I31 and. I33, through. contact I54 (-still closed) of re-- lay- CI, and contacts.'I5 andfil (still closed!) of re lay C8,, to the printers I..I.,. IiG, I4, and. I5. Relay C4 will. again become operated upon the closure of contact. I38. to efiect the. closure of its contact I4l to thereby step the switch. B to bring the. switch arm I84. to the position of contact. 222' (arm. [83. moving correspondingly).

With the switch B in the position wherein its switch arm I84 is in contact with thecontact 222, thecircuitfor operating the code relays 23- now extends from ground, through contact I061 (now closed) of relay A4,, over conductors I05 and IM, through switch arm 92 of switch A,. through con-- tact [19.4, over conductor 202, to junction 20 I', then over switch arm H14 and. through contact 222,, over conductor 223 to switch arm 224' of numboring switch TTH, then over any one of the con ductors 225 to one of the code relays I! to 9 (of theset of relays 253') depending, upon. the position of the TTH' switch arm Z24, as will clearly appear hereinafter. numerical code relays 23, namel'y'lito 9;, operated, the circuit therefor will function as. previously described, wherein. the relay C3. is operated to initiate the start magnet I23 to cause the transmitter 24 to transmit the particular code signal for the number set up.

Accordingly, for each cycle of the transmitter cam shaft 24, the relay Ci will operate to advance the switchv B one step over the energizing circuit for the stepping, magnet I8'l.,. as previously described; Therefore, theswitch' Biwill' be stepped from its contact 222, to its contact 228 whereby a circuit will? be completed from ground, through contact I06 (now closed) of relay A4; over conductors. I115 and I04, then through switch arm 92' of. switch. A, then, through. contact [94, over conductor 202 to junction 201,. then over switch arm" IM. of switch B to contact 226;. then over conductor 221", to the switch arm 228 of the numerical switch TH, wherefrom the circuit will extend over the associated conductors 225 to whichever? of the numerical code relays 23. is to be energized. The relay C3 will again be energized to transmit the code signal over the trans mitter 24 whereupon the relay C4 will again be.- come. energized. to cause the switch 3 to be. stepped one more step, to bring the. switch arm IiEA of switch Binto contact with contact 229.

A circuit will again be completed from ground through contact I06 and through switch A and.

contact 229 of switch B, through the conductor 231 to. the switcharm 232 01" switch H, then to code relays 0' to 9; With the switch. 3 set to bring its switch arm I84" into contact with contact 233,, the circuit previously described as originating; through contacts I06 will be completed oimr conductor. 234 to switch arm 235 of. numbering switch T; Finally when. the. switch. B is advanced to the contact- 23'5', thev aioredescribedcircuit will be completed over conductor 23"! to switch arm I66 of the. numbering switch U. It is understood; therefore; that each time the numbering switch is operated, a code relay 23'' willbe energizeddepending upon the position of the various numbering switch arms 224 228-, 232,-

235-, and I66.

Atthe completion or the transmission of the units digit through the: UT, and; when. the relay C45 agaim operates; as. previously: described, the: switch B; will advance its arm Hill to: contact 2313,, which. position a circuit is. completed Incidentally, with one of the.

its contacts. 241 and 242..

from ground, through. contact IIlIi (still closed) of. relay A4. over conductors I05 and. HM, through the-switch arm 92 of switch A,. through contact I94- with which switch arm 92 still. in contact over conductor 2 02. to the junction. 201., over switch arm I84 and through contact 238-, then over conductor 23's and through the winding of relay A3 tobattery. Relay A3 thus. becomes energized. and. opens its contact 158. and closes The opening of contact I58 breaks the locking. circuit,- previously traced, for the relay CT, thus causing the relay C1 to-become de-energized The closing of. contact 2!. of. relay A3- causes a circuit to be completed for the operation of the stepping magnet 99 of: switch A extending from ground, through the. contact. 2.4L (now closed), over conductor 243,. through contact 82; (now closed) of relay C6; over conductor 241;. through contact I393r over. switch. arm 91,. over conductors 91 and 981, and; then. through. the winding of, magnet 9'8 to battery, thereby stepping the switch A tobring its contact. arms Eli and. 92. into. contactwith contacts 245 and. 26;. respectively.

With the. switch. arm 92 in contact with con!- tact. 24E of switch. A an energizing. circuit is compieted. for the restoring, magnet 24'! of switch B extending from. battery, through the winding of magnet 247', over conductor 248! to junction 249:, then over conductor 25L to contact 2'15 of switch A, then over switch arm 92,. over con.- ductors I84 and. "15,. through contact I06 (still closed) of relay Adlto ground. Magnet. 241' which is. comparable. to magnet N5 of the switch. shown in Fig- 9. operates to restore the switch. arms I83 and [.84 ct switch. 13' to their position as shown in. Fig. 2. When the switch arms I83 and. I84 have been.restored t'o normalv the c.on-- tact. It! is closed by the extension- I'IIL and the contact. I83 is opened. The closing of contact I81 completes. an. energizing. circuit for. the Sfiflp: ping magnet 99' of switch A which extends from ground, through the contact ['81 (now closedbf, over conductor 252', through contact 245,. over switch arm 9|, through! conductors. 915 and 98,; then. through the. winding of magnet 99. to bat; t'ery. The switch A is then stepped; to bring its contact arms 91 and. 92 again. into contact with the previously mentioned contacts 93 and 34', respectively. This completes. the transmission of a five digitv number preceded by the letter S, The circuit remains in this position until a number again is transmitted upon the depression of the number advance key 22,. whereupon. the circuit will function as described hereinbefore until the unit switch reaches terminals 253. and 2.54.

In. the foregoing description, the switch. arms 224', 228, 232,. 235, and. [E6 have been assumed to be positioned intheir zero positions, as shown in Fig. 1, sov that as the switch B was stepped as previously described the BLK (blank) signal, S signal, Fig. signaI, and dash signal and a series of zero signals indicating. the number where transmitted.v Then, each. time the number advancing key- 22 is operated the U- switch was advanced one step for each operation oi the number advancing key- Thus, when. the number advancing key- 22 was depressed for. the first time hereinbefore mentioned, the. num: ber S.--00001 was transmitted to the. printers II.,. I4, [5,. and. I6}. Then, upon the. next depression: ofthe number advancing key 22 the switch arms [63 of the II switch wereadvanced 13 to contact 255, whereupon the number S'00002 was transmitted.

It will be recalled that each time the number advancing key 22 is depressed the relay B3 becomes energized in a manner previously described to close its contact I59 to complete a circuit for the stepping magnet I64 thereby stepping the U switch to the next contact. Thus, the U switch is stepped progressively until the position 9 is reached and the contact arm I65 engages contact 253. Responsive to this condition the circuit for the relay B4 is broken thereby releasing its armature to close its contact 256; It will be noted that the relay B4 is held operated in all the positions of the U switch except the position 9 whereat the switch arm is in engagement with the contact 253. Thus, with the relay B4 in its de-energized condition a circult is prepared for operating the return or restoring magnet 251 of the U switch which will occur when the relay A4 again operates or becomes energized.

Therefore, when the number advance key 22 is again depressed, as described hereinbefore, the switch A will be operated to cause its switch arm 92 to be advanced to and engage the contacts I02 to thereby complete a circuit for the relay A4 from battery, through the winding of relay A4, over conductor I03, through contact I02,

over switch arm 92, over conductors I04 and I05, through the contact I06, to ground. Relay A4 energizes thereby closing contact I08 thereof to complete the energizing circuit for the restoring magnet 251. The circuit for the restoring magnet 251 extends from positive battery, through the winding of magnet 251, through contact 256, over conductor 258, through contact I08 to ground. As described hereinbefore, the

switch arm I65 is returned first to the dotted line position and then is automatically stepped to the zero position in response to the next operation of relay B3.

Upon the return of the switch I65 to the dotted line position the contact 26I is closed momentarily and the contact 262 is opened. Contacts 26I and 262 correspond to contacts H2 and H3 in Fig. 9, and the arm or switch arm I65 is provided with an extension similar to extension II4 for effecting the operation of said contacts 26I and 262. When the contact 26I is thus closed a circuit is completed for energizing relay B5 extending from ground, through contact 26I (now closed), then through the winding of relay B5, over conductors 263, 264, 265 and 266 to battery, The energization of relay B5 causes contact I62 to close and contact I63 to open. Contact I62 when closed completes a circuit for energizing thestepping magnet 261 of the T switch from ground, through contact I62 (now closed), over conductor 268, through contact 269, over conductor 21I,through contact 212, over conductor 213 to junction 214,

then through the winding of the stepping magnet 261 to battery. Thus, the arm 215 of the T switch is advanced to engage contact 216. Likewise contact switch 235 of the T switch is advanced one step to engage contact 211. With the T switch set in this manner the code relay I of the set of relays 23 is adapted or conditioned to send the digit signal for numeral I in the tens position.

Each time the numbering advance key 22 is operated the relay B3 will be energized to effect the closing of the stepping magnet I64 to step the contact arm or switch arm I 65 of the U switch, One s ep for each operation of key 22. Then as each time the U switch arm I65 reaches contact 253 the restoration magnet 251 is operated 'to restore the contact arm I65, and operate relay B5, as previously described, to step the contact arm 215 of the T switch to the next contact. Thus the switch arm 215 of the T switch is stepped once each time the U switch contact arm I65 returns to its zero or neutral position operating relay B5, until, the switch arm 215 of the T switch engages its contact 218. When this occurs a circuit is completed for relay B9 from battery, through the winding of relay B9, over conductor 219, through contact 218, over switch arm 215 of switch T, over conductor 20I and through contact I63 (now closed), to ground. When relay B9 is energized it closes its contacts 282 and 283 and opens contact 269. Relay B9 will become locked up over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of relay B9, through contact 282 (now closed), and through contact 284 to ground. Contacts 212 and 264 are controlled by the switch arm 215 in the manner that contacts H2 and H3 are controlled by the switch arm 9I shown in Fig. 9.

When the switch arm I65 of the U switch reaches contact 253 to effect the restoration of the switch arm I65 to the dotted line position, the relay B5 again becomes energized as previously described upon the closure of contact 26I. In response thereto contact I62 closes to complete an energizing circuit for the return magnet 285 of the T switch over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of magnet 285, through contact 283, over conductor 268, through contact I62 to ground. When the switch arm 215 of the T switch is returned to its dotted line position the contacts 284 and 212 are opened in the manner characteristic of the switch shown in Fig. 9, whereby the opening of contact 284 causes the locking circuit of the relay B9 to be broken.

I When the switch arm 215 thus returns to its dotted line position it closes contact 286 to complete an energizing circuit for relay B6 from ground, through the contact 286, through the winding of relay B6, over conductor 261 to junction 288, then over conductors 264, 265 and 266 to battery. The relay B6, when energized, closes its contacts 289 and 29I and opens its contact 292. Relay B6, upon operating, completes an energizing circuit for the stepping magnet 293 of the H switch from battery, through the winding of magnet 293, over conductors 294 and 295, through contact 296, over conductor 291, through contact 298, over conductor 299 and through contact 29I (now closed) of relay B6, to ground.

, It is thus observed that each time the switch arm 215 of switch T engages contact 218 and is automatically returned to its dotted line position, thereby closing contact 286, the relay B6 is operated to close its contact 29I to complete the aforedescribed energizing circuit for stepping magnet 293 of switch H. Then, as switch H is advanced step-by-step, the switch arm 30I thereof eventually engages contact 302 to complete a circuit for operating relay BIO from battery, through the winding of relay BIG, over conductor 303, through contact 302, over switch arm 30I, over conductor 304, through contact 292, to ground. Relay BIO, upon operating, closes its contact 305 and opens its contacts 298 and 396. Then, When relay B6 again operates due to restoration of switcharm 215 to its dotted line position a circuit will be closed to complete the energizing circuit for the return magnet 290 of switch H in the same manner as previously described for return magnet 285 of switch '1.

ens-mac the stepping magnet 3M of the switch TH, thus.

stepping the switch TH to its contact 315.

Thus, each time the relay B'I operates upon. the restoration of switch arm 3!, the switch TH will be steppeduntil its switch arm 316 reachescontact 311 whereupon the relay CI will become energized over a circuit extending. from.

battery through the winding of relay CI, over conductor 3I8, through contact 3I'I, over the switch arm 3H5, over conductor 3I9', and through contact 3I3 of relay B1 to ground. Switch arm 31B upon returning to its dotted line position closes contact 32I to cause the energization' of relay B8 over a circuit extending from ground, through contact 32I (now closed), then through the winding of relay B8, over conductor 322 and then over conductor 266 to battery.

Relay B8 upon energizing closes its contacts 323 and 324 and opens its contact 325. Upon the closing of contact 324' a, circuit is completed for operating the stepping magnet 326 of the switch TTI-I, extending from ground through contact 324 (now closed), through contact 321, through contact 328, then through the winding of magnet 326 to battery; In this manner, each time the relay B8 operates upon the restoration of switch arm 3 I 6, the switch TTH will he stepped until its switch arm 329 reaches contact 33I, thereby completing a circuit for energizing relay C2 from battery, through the winding of relay C2, through the contact 33I, over switch arm 329, over conductor 332, and through contact 325 of relay B8 to ground. A circuit is completed for the restoration magnet 333 of switch TTI-I from battery, through the winding of relay magnet 333, through contact 334' of relay G2 (now closed), then through contact 324 of relay B8 to ground. The switch arm 329 upon being restored to its dotted line position closes the contact 335 to complete an energizing circuit for the stepping magnet 326 from ground, through contact 335 then through the winding of magnet 326- to battery, thereby stepping the switch arm 329 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

In the foregoing description, the control. key l2 was operated to position No. l to condition the circuit, shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, for transmitting a number automatically upon each operation of the number advancing key 22'.

A feature of the present invention resides in preparing on one printer an individual ticket for each item on an invoice simultaneously with the preparation of the invoice on a control printer. As each item is typed on the invoice by printer II, a similar record is made on the ticket in printer I3, said latter record being centrally spaced on the ticket. Then, as the type carriage of the control printer II approaches the end of the line, the bar 81 (Fig. 6) carried by the type carriage, functions to close the switch 86, which initiates circuit operations which, as will hereinafter appear, will cause the transmission to printor I3 of the latest number set up in the switches U, T, H, TH, and TTH, plus a carriage return signal and a predetermined number of line feed signals in order to advance the form ticket usedt inprinter t3 ti: the: desired or centralizedi position.

To achieve this feature ot the invention, the control key #2: is operated. toits position No; 3' whereupon its contacts: 5| and: 52 will. be closed and its contacts 55" and 56- will: be opened. In: this condition of operation of control key I2, the: relay C9 will become energized over the circuit extending from: battery, through the winding of relay C9; over conductor-59 and through: the con:-

tact 5-1 of control: key' I2 to ground. Relay C92 uponoperating will: open its contact 62,, thus.pre-- ventingv the operation of. the" numbering advance key 22.. The'relay'CQ when operated, also opens.

r its contact 46 and closes its contact 6| to cut the printers M and I5 out of the line circuit and placing the printers- M and. I3 in the circuit with printer I3, since the relay C8 remains unoperated, thereby holding the contacts 39 thereof closed..

With the control key I2 in its position No; 31 the relay C6 becomes operated over a circuit ex-- tending from battery, through the winding of relay C6, over conductor through contact 16" of relay C1- (whioh: isn'ot operated at this time) then over conductor 15 and: through the contact 52 of control: key I2, to'gnound.v The operation of relay CB prepares a circuit for relay CID through contact 84 of. relay G3 which has become closed. However, relay CID will become oper ated only when the switch: 86- is closed upon the arrival. of bar 81 (Fig. 6): at a position approximately near the end: of. the line to operate through spring arm. 88 the button 89 to close the switch 86, whereupon (and whenever this occurs) thecircuit will. be completed from ground (Fig. 3 through the switch 83 (now closed), over conductor 85, through contact. 51 over conductor 84', through contact 81 ot relay C6, over conductor :3, and: through: thewinding of relay CID to-batery,

Since a new number has not been set up in the numbering: switches, the switch arms 91 and 92 of switch A: are in their positions whereat they engage contacts 9-3 andv 94 respectively.

Assuming that an: item has been printed on the requisition: printer I3,- and. also on the invoice printer II-, the type carriage ofprinter H: which carries the. contact bar 81 will, when it reaches substantially the end of the line which is determined: by a normal length of item information', close contacts 86 and thus relay C I 0 will become energized over the previously described circuit. Relay CII'I becomes locked up over a circuit extending trombattermthrough the wind,- ing of relay C10,. through contact 336 of relay CI-Il (now closed)", over conductor 331, through contact 338 (now c1osed) ,.-off relay" C5 (Fig. 2), toground.

Relay CF0 upon. operating, also closes its contact 339- tocom-plete anaoperating circuit for relay C8 from battery,.throug-h the winding of relay C8, over conductor 3, through contact 339, to ground. Relay C8- remains: energized so long as the relay CIO remains operated, and rela-y'Ct also, upon operating, opens its contact 33 and closes its contact I59 thus cutting. the printers I I, l6, I4, and I5 out of. the circuit, and causing printer I3 alone tofrem'ainin the line: circuit, the ground for printer I3 being supplied through armature 33",. contact 69, and. conductor" 3'3 to the relay 31.. At this time, relay AI (Fig; 2-); becomes operated over a circuit extending; from positive battery, through the winding ofrelay All, over conductor 342 to junction 343,; then over conductor 345 to contact,

346 (now -clos'ed)of relay CH1, then over conductor 341 and through contact 348 of relay A2 (Fig. '2) to groun'd. RelayAI upon operating closes its contact I19 thereby completing an energizing 'circuii'z' forthe-stepping magnet iiii of switch B extending from ground, through con tact I19, over conductor I82, then through the winding ofmagnet I8 I to positive battery, thereby stepping the switcharms I83and I84 of switch B to their respective'contacts I85 and I86.

-As previously described, the numbering circuit has been initiated and the number last set up in the switches'U, T, H, TI-I,and TTH will be retransmitted to the printer [3 under the control of the stepping switch" B. After the switch B has been initiated into'operation'bythe operation of its stepping switch I 8 I- through the instrumentality of the contact I19-of-relayAI, the stepping of the magnet |8|"Wl11"b8 further controlled by the relay C4of'the transmitter'24, over the previously described -circuit extendin from battery, through the windingof magnet I'8I to junction 283, then through contact I85, over switch arm I83, over conductor294, through contact I4I of relay C4 to ground.

As previously described, the stepping switch B with its switch arms I83 and I84 in their positions E85 andI86, respectively, will cause the blank signal to be transmitted. Thereafter, upon each closure of relay C4 in response to each cyclic operation of the transmitter? 24, the S signal will be transmitted when the switch arm I84 engages, contact 266, and thereafter as the switch arm I84 successively engages contacts 2I3, v2I1, 222, 226,229, 233, and 238, the signals figures, dash, 1 TH, TH, T, H, and U digits will be transmitted to the, printer I3. When the C4 relay operates at the completion of the units transmission, and the switch arm I84 is stepped to the contact 238, the relay A3 will operate over a circuit extending from battery, through the .winding of relay A3 over conductor .239, through contact 238, over switch .arm I 84'to junction.20I,-then over conductors'282, and 368 through the contact 94 of switch A, over switch arm 92, then over conductors I64 and I85, through the contact 106 (now closed) of relay A4, to ground. Relay A3, when operated, closes its contacts 8 242 and 24I and opens. its contact. I58.

With relay A3 thus operated, a circuit is completed. for the start magnet 35I of switch C (Fig. 2) extending, from battery, through the winding of start magnet 35I, through the normally made contact352 (similar totcontacts H2 and H3 of switch A) .over conductor-353, through contact 19 (now closed) of-relay C6 (operated when control.key. I2 was moved toposition No. 3), then overconductor 243 and through contact 24! (now closed) ,to ground. Upon th operation of stepping magnet 35I, the switch arm 354 of switch C will be advanced to engage contact 355.

-with switcharm 354 of switch C in engagement with contact.355,-.a circuit is completed for the transmission of the carriage return signal to the printer I3, whichcircuit extends from ground, through contact I86 (now closed) of relay A4, over .conductors lflzand I04, through contact arm ,92 of switch A, through contact 94, over conductors-.360, 282, and'356, through contact 349 (now closed) of relay CIII, over conductor 350, throughcontactarm'354, through contact 355, over conductor 351, through the winding of CR relay (of the set of code relays 23), then over conductor II 1, to "battery. The code relay CR upon energizingwill pull up its contact 358 to complete a circuit for the energization of relay 03 (associated with transmitter 24, Fig. 1) extending from battery, through the winding of relay C3, overconductor I22, through the contact 368 (now closed) of relay CR, over conductor I I9 and through normally closed contact N8 of the transmitter, to ground. Upon energization of relay C3, its contact I24 is pulled up, thereby causing the operation .of the start magnet $23 of the transmitter distributor 24 which, upon rotation, will transmit a'start impulse and impulses in the 1,12, 3;.and ,5 positions of the contact associated with. the CR-relay which signal will be received onithe line, relay 31 of printer I3. The transmissionpath from the transmitter 24 extends from battery, over conductor I29, through the contacts, I21, through the contacts I, 2, 3,. and 5 ofrelay CR, then over conductor 269 to junction 2H then over conductor I3I to junction I32, theninstead of extending through contact I54 of relay C1 which is now open, the circuit extends from junction 832, over conductor 36I, through the contact 13 (now closed) of relay C58 (which is still operated), over conductors I2 and 36, through the winding of line relay 31 of printer !3, over conductor 38, through contact 69, over armature 68, to ground.

When the contact I38 is again closed, in the cyclic rotation of the transmitter 24, the relay C4 (Fig. 1) again operates and closes its contact IM to complete an operating circuit for the stepping magnet 35I of switch C extending from ground, through contact I4I (now closed), over conductor-204, through switch arm I83 of switch B, through contact 362 of switch B, over conductor 363, through contact 242 (now closed) ofrelay A3, over conductor 364, through contact 365 (which isclosed when the switch arm- 354 is in all, positions except that shown in Fig. 2),.then through the winding of magnet 35I to battery.

The operation of-stepping magnet 35I causes the switch arm 354 of the switch C to be stepped to engage its contact 366. It is noted that the contacts366, 361, 368, 369, 31I and 312 of switch C are strapped together and connected through a common conductor 313 to the line feed (LF) relay of the set of code relays 23, and then through the winding of the line feed relay (LF) and over conductor II1 to battery. The line feed relay (LF) upon operation, closes its contact 314 to complete a circuit from ground, through the contact II8 of the transmitter 24, over conductor I I9, through contact 314, over conductor. I22 and through the winding of relay C3 to battery. Relay C3 upon operating closes its contact I24 to complete a circuit for the start magnet I23 of the transmitter 24 to transmit the first of a series of line feed signals to the printer I3, which signals are transmitted from battery, through the contacts I21, through the closed contacts of the, LF relay, over the conductor 209 to junction 2! I, over the conductor I3I to junction I32, then over conductor 36I, through contact 13 of relay CIIJ, over conductors 12 and 36, through the line relay 31 of printer I3, over conductor 38, through contact 69 and over armature 68 to ground. Switch C, of course, advances one step for each operation of the cam shaft of the transmitter 24 to energize relay C4 whereupon the stepping magnet 35I is energized over a previously described circuit to step the switch arm 864 successively tor each line feed signal 19 transmission until the switch arm 354 reaches the contact 312 after the transmission of six successive line feed signals.

After transmitting the series of line feed signals, the switch arm 354 of the switch C is advanced to engage contact 315 to complete a circuit for energizing the relay C5, extending from positive battery (adjacent to relay C0, Fig. 2), over conductor 316, through contact 18 (now closed) of relay C6, over conductor 31?, through the relay winding C5, through contact 315, over switch arm 354, over conductor 350, through contact 349 (now closed) of relay Cl0, over conductors 356, 202, and 360, through contact 94 of switch A, over switch arm 92, then over conductors l04 and 105 and through contact I06 (now closed) of relay A4, to ground. Relay C upon operation opens its contact 338 and breaks the locking circuit, previously described, for the relay CIO which thus becomes de-energized and closes its contact 384 and opens its contacts 13, 336, 339, 346, and 349. As soon as relay C is de-energized the switches B and C are restored to normal in response to the closing of contact 318 of relay C5. The return magnet 241 of switch B becomes energized over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of magnet 241, over conductor 248 to junction 249, then over conductor 319 to junction 38l, then over conductor 382, through contact 318, over conductor 383, through contact 384 (now closed) of relay GM to ground, whereupon the switch arms I83 and I84 of switch B are returned to the normal position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The restoring magnet 385 of switch C becomes energized over a circuit extending from battery, through the winding of. magnet 385, over conductor 33E, to-junction 31, then over conductor 332, through contact 318, over conductor 383, through contact 384 (now closed) of relay Cl 0, to ground. With the switches B and C in their normal position and the relay C10 released, the circuit arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is in readiness for the next closure of the control printer contacts, or the depression of the number advance key 22. The purpose of the function just described is to transmit to the stock requisition ticket printer I3 the number identifying each ticket with the invoice which is being printed on printer H, and for the printer l3 to receive automatically a carriage return signal and sufficient line feed signals to advance the paper or page to the proper position for printing on the next succeeding ticket.

In the operation of the system according to the present invention, the printer i3 is provided with an attachment as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. As previously mentioned, the printer I3 is of the form and construction shown in U. S. Patent 1,904,164, and having reference to the Figs. '7 and 8 in view of the aforementioned patent the following will be understood more readily. Mounted on the Vane frame (identified in said patent by the numeral 1) is a bracket 40] having means 402 for securement to said vane frame. Secured to bracket 40l are a pair of studs 403 for slidably supporting a blocking member 404 having instrumentalities 405 and 406 for blocking the selective operation of the line feed function lever 407 and the carriage return lever 408.

Bracket MM is further provided with a vertically disposed integral portion 409 adapted to pivotally support on a pivot 4 a swivel 4l2,

20 one end 4| 3 of which cooperates with the block-' ing lever 404. The other end of swivel M2 is provided with prongs M4 and 5 which cooperate with a laterally directed portion 4H5 of a bell crank lever 4 l I mounted on the selector bell crank retaining bar 4l8, analogous to the retaining bar 53 shown in Fig. l of said Patent No. 1,904,164.

The bell crank 4|! is normally biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 4l9 against a stop 42l carried on the retaining bar 4l8. When the type carriage which carries the bar M8 is returned to its leftward position, Fig. 8, which is indicative of its beginning of line position, the lateral portion M6 will cooperate with the prong 4M to rotate the swivel 4l2 counterclockwise about pivot 409 against the action of overcentering spring 422, and in so doing the blocking bar 404 will be actuated rightwardly (as viewed in Fig. 7) to bring the instrumentalities 405 and 400 directly in front of the function levers 401 and 400, thus precluding their selective operation.

As the type carriage moves rightwardly in accordance with character spacing operation, the retaining bar MB moves therewith until a predetermined position is reached wherein the laterally disposed portion 416 cooperates with the prong sis to rotate, upon further character spacing movement of the retaining bar 4| 8, the swivel 422 clockwise against the upper action of the overcentering spring 422, to bring or actuate the blocking bar 404 leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. '7, to bring the instrumentalities 405 and 406 again clear or free of the function levers 407 or 408, thereby permitting the selective operation thereafter of these two function levers.

When relay A2 operates, it prepares an obvious locking circuit for relay C8, the purpose of which is to maintain relay C8 operated in all positions of switch B to insure transmission of all digits in the event the control key I2 is accidentally shifted.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiment but may be modified and rearranged the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph system, means for transmitting code combinations of impulses including representations of figures, means for initiating the operation of said transmitting means, means effective normally for varying said figure rep-resentations in consecutive order for consecutive operations of said initiating means,.means independent of said initiating means for repeating a figure representation a variable number of times, and means associated with said independent means for rendering said initiating means ineffective during operation of said independent means.

2. In a telegraph system, means for transmitting code combinations of impulses including representations of figures, means for initiating the operation of said transmitting means, means effective normally for varying said figure representations in consecutive order'for consecutive operations of said initiating means, means independent of said initiating means for controlling the repetition of a figure representation, means effective in response to the operation of said independent means for automatically inserting a predetermined number of function code combinations, and means associated with said independent means for rendering said initiating means ineffective during operation of said independent means.

3. In a telegraph system, means for transmitting code combinations of impulses including representations of characters of a predetermined nature, means for initiating the operation of said transmitting means, means for varying said character representations in consecutive order for consecutive operations of said initiating means, a plurality of receivers, a control means comprising a three position control switch whereby said receivers are rendered receptive selectively according to the position of said control switch, and means operable under the control of said control means and independent of said initiating means for repeating a character representation a variable number of times.

4. In a telegraph system, means for transmitting code combinations of impulses including representations of characters of a predetermined nature, means for initiating the operation of said transmitting means, means for varying said character representations in consecutive order for consecutive operations of said initiating means,

a plurality of receivers, a control means comprising a three position control switch whereby said receivers are rendered receptive selectively according to the position of said control switch, other means operable under the control of said control means and independent of said initiating means for repeating a character representation a variable number of times, and means effective in response to the operation of said other means for automatically inserting a predeter-' mined number of function code combinations.

5. In a telegraph numbering system, means for transmitting message signals, means for inserting message identification signals comprising a plurality of number controlling switches, a set of number controlling relays cooperatively associated with each of said switches, means normally effective for initiating the operation of said signal inserting means to transmit through said transmitting means identification signals as determined by said switches under the control of said relays, means independent of said initiating means for eil'ecting repetition of an identification signal determined by the condition of said switches and relays, and means effective in response to the operation of said independent means for automatically inserting a predetermined number of function code signals.

6. In a telegraph numbering system, means for transmitting message signals, means for inserting message identification signals comprising a plurality of number controlling switches, a set of number controlling relays cooperatively associated with each of said switches, means normally effective for initiating the operation of said signal inserting means to transmit through said transmitting means identification signals as determined by said switches under the control of said relays, a receiving recorder comprising cir cuit controlling instrumentalities, means independent of said initiating means and controlled by said instrumentalities for effecting repetition of an identification signal as determined by the condition of said switches and relays, means associated with said independent means for rendering said initiating means ineffective during operation of said independent means, and means efiective in response to the operation of said independent means for automatically inserting a predetermined number of function code signals.

RALPH H. HALVORSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,850,177 Levy Mar. 22, 1932 2,193,809 Dirkes et al. Mar. 19, 1940 2,193,812 Blanton Mar. 19, 1940 

